Monday, January 5, 2009

RIP Jett Travolta

Officials in the Bahamas on Monday conducted an autopsy on Jett Travolta, the teenage son of actor John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, who died here last week during a family holiday, police said.

The results of the autopsy to find how 16-year-old Jett Travolta died could be made public as early as Monday afternoon, the Nassau police told AFP.

Jett was last seen on New Year's Day when he went to use the bathroom at the family's residence at the Old Bahama Bay Resort on Grand Bahama island, a statement issued Sunday by the Bahamas' police Chief Superintendent Basil Rahming said.

"He was discovered in the bathroom in an unconscious state around 10:00 am" the next day by a caretaker, the statement said.

Jett Travolta had a history of seizures since he was a toddler, and a lawyer for his father said he may have suffered a lethal one on Friday.

The youth was the only son of Travolta, 54, and actress Preston, 46. The couple also has an eight-year-old daughter, Ella.

Hours before the autopsy was conducted, the teen's grieving family issued a statement about the loss of their son and brother.

"Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief," the family said in a statement Sunday.

"We have received many messages of condolence from around the world and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. It has meant so much to us," the statement said, signed: "With love, John, Kelly and Ella."

Jett Travolta is due to be buried in Ocala, Florida, where his family lives.

The youngster's life was complicated by health woes from a young age.

John Travolta once said on the Oprah Winfrey show that he spent at least 4 hours a day with his children one-on-one, and that he would have liked to spend even more.